Container with a plant material for preparing a tea beverage

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a container ( 1 ) for use in a beverage preparation machine. The container ( 1 ) has a non-symmetrical shape such that it is inserted functionally inside the beverage preparation machine with a specific orientation. The container ( 1 ) comprises a container body ( 2 ) having a back side ( 40 ) and a front side ( 3 ), the back side ( 40 ) and the front side ( 3 ) delimiting a compartment adapted to be traversed by water injected therein by the beverage preparation machine through the back side ( 40 ), and a plant material for preparing a tea beverage, the plant material being inside said compartment. The front side ( 3 ) comprises at least one discharge opening ( 31 ) arranged in the upper half, preferably arranged in the upper third part, of said front side ( 3 ) when said container ( 1 ) is functionally inserted in the beverage preparation machine in order to keep water in the compartment at a defined level (L) that is above the median height (M) of said container ( 1 ), before the tea beverage is dispensed outside said container ( 1 ), thus allowing soaking of the plant material in said water.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a container for use in a beverage preparation machine.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

A container for use in a beverage preparation machine may be a capsule or a pod, e.g. a round pod. The container or a part of the container is typically manufactured by separating a blank. The separating process may be a cutting process such as punching, and the blank may be a sheet, for example from a roll of sheets or material. The separated blank is then subsequently formed and sealed with another separated blank, for example separated from the same blank, thereby making the container or at least a part of the container. The container may contain an ingredient such as coffee or tea. The ingredient may be dosed before sealing so that the ingredient is contained in a compartment of the container.

The container may contain tea, in particular tea leaves, as the ingredient. Tea, in particular in the form of leaves, requires a certain amount of time of contact between hot water and each leaf, so that the tea can be correctly prepared, which is in particular an extraction and/or infusion process. Preparing tea from a beverage machine and from a container used in the beverage preparation machine such as a capsule machine is interesting, because it is convenient for the user.

Beverage preparation machines, which are particularly used for preparing coffee, do usually provide a flow of water at a high pressure. The flow of the pressurized water thus traverses the container in a relatively short time. However, such brewing conditions may not be suitable for preparing tea. This is because tea requires a certain amount of time between the hot water and the tea leaves for the appropriate preparation. Further, classic tea bags cannot be conveniently used in such a beverage preparation system.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a container, which overcomes the afore-mentioned drawbacks. That is, it is in particular an object of the present invention to provide a container, which improves the preparation of tea and which at the same time facilitates an easy use in a beverage preparation machine.

These and other objects, which become apparent upon reading the following description, are solved by the subject-matter of the independent claim. The dependent claims refer to preferred embodiments of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, a container is provided for use in a beverage preparation machine. The container has a non-symmetrical shape such that it is inserted functionally inside the beverage preparation machine with a specific orientation. The container comprises a container body having a back side and a front side, the back side and the front side delimiting a compartment adapted to be traversed by water injected therein by the beverage preparation machine through the back side, and a plant material for preparing a tea beverage, the plant material being inside said compartment. The front side comprises at least one discharge opening arranged in the upper half, preferably arranged in the upper third part, of said front side when said container is functionally inserted in the beverage preparation machine in order to keep water in the compartment at a defined level that is above the median height of said container, before the tea beverage is dispensed outside said container, thus allowing soaking of the plant material in said water.

The container thus facilitates a longer contact time between the water and the plant material, since the injected water is not directly discharged from the compartment. Instead, in particular the front side and the specific arrangement of the discharge opening effect that the water accumulates in the compartment, and thus the plant material is properly soaked in the water, thereby properly effecting the extraction process for producing the tea beverage. As soon as the accumulated water reaches the defined level, the discharge opening of the functions as an overflow (under a controlled flow sequence) and thus discharges the tea beverage from the container. Consequently, the container facilitates that water can traverse the compartment at a slow and regular flowrate, thereby improving the preparation of the tea, when used in a conventional beverage preparation machine. Further, the front side of the container body preferably gives rigidity to the container, and thus the container can be more conveniently used in a beverage preparation machine.

The plant material may be selected from the group consisting of tea leaves, herbal tea, herbal infusions, and fruits.

The opening may be eccentrically provided with respect to the front side. Thus, in a horizontal position of the container, in which the horizontal axis preferably intersects the center of the front side, the container can retain a comparatively great amount of water and plant material. In this position, the defined level can be in particular above said horizontal axis intersecting the center of the front side.

The front side may comprise only one discharge opening. Thus, the opening can be very easily obtained.

The discharge opening may have a round and/or polygonal shape. For example, the discharge opening may in part correspond to the outline of the compartment. The discharge opening may be in the form of a segment of a circle.

The container, e.g. the front side, may comprise one or more tabs, wherein the one or more tabs are preferably integrally formed with the container, e.g. the front side. The one or more tabs can effect an easier use of the container, since the one or more tabs provide a structure for cooperating with the beverage preparation machine and/or with the user, e.g. for easier handling and/or processing of the container. For example, the one or more tabs can aid in position and/or orientate the opening with respect to the machine.

The one or more tabs may include a handling tab for handling the container. The handling tab typically provides a surface adapted for being grasped by a user. The handling tab effects that a user can easily handle or (manually) manipulate the container, e.g. with respect to a beverage preparation machine, without touching or acting on the body or ingredient contained in the body respectively compartment. For example, the handling tab is provided such that a user can insert the container into the beverage machine and easily remove or withdraw the container from the beverage preparation machine for disposing of the container, e.g. since the beverage preparation machine does not include a trash bin for the container. When inserted in the beverage preparation machine, the handling tab may extent in a direction to an outside of the beverage preparation machine, so that a user can easily remove the container from the machine after use.

When viewed in a plan view of the front side, i.e. when viewed perpendicular to a flat surface of the front side or when viewed in the direction of the symmetrical axis of the container (body) or back side, the discharge opening may be arranged between the handling tab and a center of the front side. Thus, the opening can be very easily positioned by means of the handling tab such that a comparatively great amount of water is retained in the compartment. For example, by orientating the handling tab to extend in an upward vertical direction, the opening is automatically in a position, in which a maximum amount of water can accumulate in the compartment in order to soak the plant material. In this position/orientation, the opening is thus positioned at an upper side of the container.

The one or more tabs may include an identification tab comprising information, e.g. in the form of a code (2D-, 3D-, matrix-barcode, QR-code, RFID, etc.), for processing the container in a beverage preparation machine. The identification tab may bear the information, e.g. the information respectively code may be printed onto the identification tab. The information may include information relating to the ingredient of the container and/or information relating to process parameters for processing the container such as for processing the ingredients contained in the body. Thus, the information may include a recipe code. The identification tab therefore provides a surface, on which the information can be provided, so that there is in particular no need to provide the information on other parts of container, such as on the body or the front side. Further, the identification tab provides a good visibility of the information for a reader of the beverage preparation machine. The reader of the beverage preparation machine is usually adapted to automatically read the information, when the information provided on the identification tab is in the field of view of the reader. Therefore, the identification tab effects a very easy reading of the information provided on the identification tab by the dedicated information reader of the beverage preparation machine. As such, the identification tab effects an easier use of the container in a beverage preparation machine. In general, the information may be arranged on the container, e.g. (printed) directly on the front side and/or on any part of the container other than the one or more tabs.

The front side (as a front part of the container) may comprises one or more first side (or peripheral) edges, wherein each of the one or more tabs has one or more second side (or peripheral) edges, wherein at least one of the one or more second side edges is at least in part complementary formed to one of the one or more first side edges. A form is to be understood “complementary formed” to another form, when the forms can be connected to each other such that substantially no clearance is formed between the forms, e.g. when a convex form and a concave form are defined by substantially the same diameter. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more second side edges may be formed by obtaining one or more further, preferably identically formed front sides of other containers. In other words, a plurality of such front sides can be put together like a jigsaw puzzle, e.g. forming a single piece without any clearances defined by the connection between the front sides. Thereby, the front side can be produced with a reduced amount of waste. That is, a significantly increased amount of the material, which would remain as waste after obtaining the respective front side and at least one further front side, is now used for the one or more tabs. Thereby, the container respectively front side in particular provides a more efficient manufacturing.

The non-symmetrical shape of the container may be provided by accordingly designing (only) the front side and/or the back side and/or the one or more tabs, in particular the respective one or more second side edges. Thus, the container may be shaped to bring the container, e.g. the front side, in the specific orientation, e.g. a defined position and/or orientation in a beverage preparation machine. For example, at least one or each of the one or more tabs, in particular the one or more side edges of the respective tab, is at least in part shaped correspondingly to a part of the beverage preparation machine, thereby effecting the specific orientation with respect to the beverage preparation machine. In the specific orientation of the container, the container can be appropriately processed by the beverage preparation machine, and/or the information provided on the container, e.g. on the identification tab, can be appropriately read by the beverage preparation machine, and/or the (handling) tab extends in a direction for an easy removal of the container from the beverage preparation machine. In particular, the defined shape of the container can thus ensure that the opening is always in the same position and/or orientation, when the container is used in the beverage preparation machine. Further, since a beverage preparation machine may require that the information to be read from the container is always at the same place within the machine, i.e. in the field of view of the reader of the beverage preparation machine, the container can effectively effect that the information provided on the tab is always in this place, when the container is used (inserted) in the beverage preparation machine.

The one or more second side edges may be formed by obtaining one or more further front sides of different containers, such as by obtaining one or more first side edges and/or one or more second side edges of the further front sides.

The front side and the one or more further front sides may be obtained from the same blank. This increases the efficiency of manufacturing the container. Additionally or alternatively, the front side and the one or more further front sides may be identically formed. “Identically formed” is to be understood such that the front side and the one or more further front sides have the same form or shape, at least when viewed in a plan view of the front sides, which may be a viewing direction being perpendicular to a flat surface of the front sides or the blank, from which the front sides are obtained. This increases the efficiency of manufacturing the container.

The tabs may extent in different directions. Thus, it is effectively prevented that one of the tabs, e.g. the handling tab, interferes with a further one of the tabs, e.g. the identification tab, thereby increasing the ease-of-use of the container. Additionally or alternatively, the tabs may be arranged to be diametrically opposed. This provides, in particular, for a particularly easy use of the container, since due to the relatively great distance between the tabs it is prevented that the tabs interfere with one another.

The tabs may extent in a same plane. In other words, the tabs may be obtained from the same blank having a flat surface, wherein said flat surface substantially extents in only one plane. Therefore, the compactness of the container is increased.

At least one of the one or more second side edges may be a side edge being laterally provided with respect to the respective tab. Since the lateral side of the tab is usually the longest side of the respective tab, a relatively great amount of waste during obtaining the container can be reduced.

At least one of the one or more second side edges may be a side edge being provided at a distal end of the respective tab. Therefore, a relatively long tab can be provided, since, when two front sides are obtained from the same blank, the distal end corresponding to the first side edge can thus be formed by using the material extending up to the first side edge of the further front side. As such, the front side may comprise, for example, only one tab for fulfilling different functions, e.g. the function of both the handling tab and the information tab, i.e. of both handling the container, and providing information.

The one or more second side edges of one of the tabs may include a second side edge being complementary formed to a second side edge of a further one of the tabs. In other words, by obtaining a second side edge of one of the tabs, e.g. this second side edge being a distal end of this tab, at the same time a second side edge of a further tab, e.g. this (further) second side edge being also a distal end of this (further) tab, of a front side of another container can be obtained. Therefore, a design of the container for more efficient manufacturing is provided. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more second side edges of the one or more tabs includes a second side edge being formed by obtaining one or more tabs of further front sides of other containers. Therefore, manufacturing of the container is more efficient.

At least one of the one or more second side edges may have a concave shape, wherein the one or more first side edges have thus a convex shape. These complementary shapes or forms of the first and second side edges are particularly advantageous for an efficient manufacturing of the container.

Each of the one or more tabs may have only three second side edges. These three second side edges may merge continuously or discontinuously with one another. Two of these second side edges may be laterally provided side edges of the respective tab, wherein the third of these second side edges is provided at the distal end of the respective tab. In one embodiment, each of the (three) second side edges of a respective tab is at least in part complementary formed to the one or more first side edges. Therefore, a particularly great amount of waste during manufacturing of the container can be reduced. According to this embodiment, a container with only one tab may be obtained. In another embodiment, only two of the second side edges of a respective tab, e.g. the laterally provided side edges, may be each at least in part complementary formed to the one or more first side edges, wherein, more preferably, the third of the second side edges of the respective tab, e.g. provided at the distal end, is at least in part complementary formed to the third of the second side edges of the respective other tab. Therefore, a particularly great amount of waste during manufacturing of the container can be reduced, while according to this embodiment a container with at least or only two tabs can be very efficiently obtained.

The container may comprise a filter element provided upstream of the discharge opening for preventing particles of the plant material to be discharged from the container. Thus, it can be effectively prevented that the beverage comprises such particles. Further, in particular the interference of the filter with the machine can be reduced or prevented, since the front side is thus provided between the filter and the machine.

The back side of the container (e.g. in the form of a back part) is preferably obtained by forming and/or separating a single blank such as a sheet. Thus, the container can be very effectively produced.

The front side may be (directly) attached to the back side, e.g. the back part, of the container. Thus, a very easy and compact design of the container is provided. The front side is preferably attached to the back side by sealing such as heat sealing. This provides for a very easy attachment of the front side, which at the same time provides a sealing of the container.

The filter element may be sandwiched between the back side and the front side. Therefore, the filter element and the front side can be very easily attached to the back side, e.g. by a sealing, which attaches both the front side and the filter element to the back side.

The container, e.g. the front side, may be made of a material selected from the list of plastic, paper, cardboard, aluminum, a multilayer laminate, a biodegradable and/or compostable material, or a combination thereof. A material is to be understood as “compostable” or “biodegradable” when the material fulfills the requirements established by the European Norm EN 13431 (“Packaging—Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation—Test scheme and evaluation criteria for the final acceptance of packaging”).

The container may be made of a biodegradable and/or compostable material, e.g. a material comprising a compostable polymer, paper, and/or cellulose. Additionally or alternatively, the front side may be made of a material comprising plastic, paper, cardboard, aluminum, and/or a multilayer laminate.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following, the invention is described exemplarily with reference to the enclosed figures, in which

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective exploded view of a container according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective side view of the container according to FIG. 2 in an assembled state;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective cross-sectional view of the container according to FIG. 2 , wherein the flow of water traversing the compartment is schematically indicated;

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan (top) view of a front side according to a first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a blank for obtaining a plurality of front sides according to FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan (top) view of a front side according to a second preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of a blank for obtaining a plurality of front sides according to FIG. 6 .

In the figures, different preferred embodiments for a container 1 are shown. The container 1 is adapted for being used in a beverage preparation machine, e.g. in a beverage preparation machine adapted for capsules and/or pods, such as of the “Nespresso professional” type. Therefore, the container 1 may be adapted to be traversed by a flow of (pressurized and/or heated) water. The beverage preparation machine may comprise a water tank, a heater for heating the water from the water tank, and a pump for pumping the heated water. The beverage preparation machine may also include a holder (e.g. in the form of a cavity) adapted for holding the container 1. For example, the holder is adapted to hold the container 1 in a position/orientation, in which the beverage preparation machine can produce a beverage from the container 1 by the (heated and/or pressurized) water. The container 1 is not limited to a specific container. For example, the container 1 may be a (coffee) capsule or a (coffee) pod.

The container 1 comprises a container body 2 (in the following also referred to as “body”), for example a sealed body, for containing an ingredient for preparing a beverage. The ingredient is a plant material for preparing a tea beverage. For example, the plant material does not comprise coffee beans. Additionally or alternatively, the plant material may be selected from the group consisting of tea leaves, herbal tea, and fruits. The plant material may also comprise any other plant material suitable for preparing a tea beverage, e.g. herbs and/or spices. The ingredient may also include additives such as milk or sugar. The beverage to be prepared with the container 1 is thus a tea beverage.

The sealed body 2 comprises a front side 3 (e.g. designed as a front part and/or as a retaining element), and a back side 40, which may be designed as a back part. In FIGS. 4-7 , the back side 40 is not shown, since the figures show a plan view, in which the viewing direction is perpendicular to a flat surface of the front side 3. The back side is provided on a rear side of the front side 3. The front side 3 and the back side 40 may be sealed at least along (only) one or more first side (or peripheral) edges 4. Thereby, the front side 3 and the back side 40 delimit a (closed and/or internal) compartment, which contains the ingredient. In FIG. 1 , the volume of the compartment is indicated between the filter element 50 and the back side 40. The volume of the compartment may be, for example, 13350 mm³.

Each of the one or more first side edges 4 may have a round or convex form (shape). In other examples, each of the one or more side edges 4 may also have a different shape, e.g. a straight, elliptical and/or polygonal shape. Sealing together the front side 3 and the back side 40 may thus be in part along the one or more side edges 4 and in part on other parts of the front side 3 and back side so that a sealing path 5 is obtained, which is, for example, a closed sealing path 5. The sealing path 5 may have a shape corresponding to the one or more first side edges 4. For example, the sealing path 5 has a round shape, in particular in the form of a (closed) circle. In other examples, the sealing path 5 may also have a polygonal form. Sealing may be effected by a heat sealer. In other examples, an additional sealing element, e.g. an adhesive bond element such as a glue, may be provided for sealing together the front side 3 and the back side 40. In general, the front side 3 may be attached to the back side of the container or the back side 40 in many ways, e.g. with an adhesive bond and/or a frictional connection and/or an interlocking connection.

The front side 3 and/or the back side 40 may be respectively provided in a formed state, i.e. having a three-dimensional extension. For example, the front side 3 and/or the back side 40 may be initially provided in a substantially flat state, in which the respective part has substantially only a two-dimensional extension. The front side 3 and/or the back side 40 may be brought from the flat state, in which the respective part is provided as a substantially flat element such as a blank (e.g. a sheet), into the formed state by a forming process. The form of the front side 3 and/or the back side 40 thus defines the spatial extent of the compartment defined by the front side 3 and back side 40.

The compartment, delimited by the front side 3 and the back side 40, is adapted to be traversed by water. Thus, the container 1 or compartment is in general adapted such that water can be injected into the compartment from any side of the container 1. According to the invention, the back side 40 is adapted for injecting water into the container 1, i.e. into the compartment, which is defined by the front side 3 and the back side 40. Thus, the water traversing the compartment is injected therein, i.e. into the compartment, by the beverage preparation machine through the back side 40. The back side 40 is thus an injection side of the container 1. For example, the back side 40 may be designed to be pierced by a needle or a plurality of needles, which needle(s) thus inject(s) water into the compartment. Discharging water from the container 1 and the compartment is facilitated via the front side 3 (“dispensing side”) of the container 1. Thereby, the front side 3 is adapted to discharge water from the compartment. That is, the water enters the compartment via the back side 40, comes into contact with the ingredients, i.e. the plant material, inside of the compartment, thereby e.g. extracting and/or infusing soluble compounds and flavors from the plant material for preparing the tea, and is finally discharged by way of the front side 3 for dispensing the so prepared tea beverage (i.e. the extracted and/or infused tea).

The back side 40, which delimits the compartment, may comprise a sidewall 41, which surrounds the plant material. The back side 40 may comprise a bottom 42 and a top. The sidewall 41 may extend from the bottom 42 to the top of the back side 40, i.e. to the front side 3 of the container 1. The bottom 42 may be (at least) the part of the back side 40, which is adapted for injecting water into the compartment. Additionally or alternatively, the sidewall 41 may be adapted for injecting water into the compartment. The back side 40 may have a substantially cylindrical or conical form, in particular a truncated conical or a frusto-conical form. The back side 40 may in general have a vaulted form, e.g. a form which widens or tapers from the bottom 42 towards the top of the back side, i.e. the front side of the container 1. The back side 40 may have a prismatic form, the form of a truncated pyramid or a substantially flat form, e.g. a disc shaped or pod shaped form. In a top view of the back side 40, the back side 40 may have a circular, elliptical, and/or angled (polygonal, rectangular, square, etc.) form.

The front side 3 may be attached onto the periphery of the back side 40 or sidewall 41. The back side 40 may comprise a flange 43, which preferably extends from the upper end of the sidewall 41 to an outside of the container 1. The front side 3 may then be attached to this flange 43. In other examples, the front side 3 may also be differently attached, e.g. directly attached to the sidewall 41, without the need of a flange. The front side 3 may be disk-shaped. For example, the form of the front side 3 substantially corresponds to the circumference of the back side 40. Preferably, the (main) part of the front side 3, which is attached to the back side 40 in order to retain water in the compartment, has a round or circular form, e.g. with a diameter of about 53 mm.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the front side 3 comprises at least one discharge opening 31 (in the following also referred to as the “opening”) in order to keep water in the compartment at a defined level L. For example, the front side 3 may be adapted for retaining water in the compartment at the defined level L. Thus, the opening 31 is arranged to discharge water from the compartment so that water cannot rise beyond the defined level L. In particular in a horizontal orientation of the container 1 (e.g. when used, i.e. functionally inserted, in the beverage preparation machine), the defined level L may thus extend from the front side 3 to the back side 40, for soaking the plant material in water. In other words, the water surface, which forms the defined level L, may extend from the front side 3 to the back side 40. Thus, the defined level L may extend from a lower edge of the opening 31. If the back side 40 comprises the bottom 42 and/or the sidewall 41, the defined level L may extend to the sidewall 41 and/or bottom 42, e.g. such that a part of the sidewall 41 and/or bottom 42 is not in contact with the water accumulated in the compartment.

The opening 31 thus effects that the defined level L is above the median height M of the container 1, before the tea beverage is dispensed outside said container 1, thus allowing soaking of the plant material in said water. The median height M of the container 1 may be measured along a vertical direction, when the container 1 is functionally inserted in the beverage preparation machine. For example, the median height M corresponds to half of the height H of the front side 3, when the container is functionally inserted in the beverage preparation machine; if the optional tab 11 and/or tab 21 (see below) is present, the height H of the front side 3 does not take into account this or these tab(s) 11, 21 for calculating said height and median height M. If the front side 3 has a substantially round form (i.e. the form of the front side 3 without the optional tabs 11, 21), e.g. a spherical or oval form and/or a form corresponding to the back side 40 being a cylinder or a (truncated) cone, the median height thus corresponds to the radius of said form (the diameter of said form thus corresponds to the height H of the front side 3).

Thereby, the defined level L divides the compartment in one part comprising the plant material soaked in the injected water, and in a further part not comprising or accumulating any water and/or plant material. Furthermore, with the opening 31 discharging water, it can be effectively prevented that a pressure builds up in the compartment due to accumulating water, thereby improving the preparation of the tea from the plant material, e.g. by extraction or infusion. The front side 3 thus effects that water accumulates in the compartment so that the plant material is properly soaked in the water, thereby properly producing the tea beverage. As soon as the accumulated water—which already includes water with solubles and flavors extracted from the plant material—reaches the defined level L, the opening 31 of the front side 3 functions as an overflow and thus discharges the tea beverage from the container 1, i.e. from the compartment.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3 , the opening 31 is arranged in the upper half, preferably arranged in the upper third part, of the front side 3 when said container 1 is functionally inserted in the beverage preparation machine. “Functionally inserted” is in particular understood such that the specific orientation of the container 1 in the beverage preparation machine is effected, in particular in order to appropriately prepare a (tea) beverage from the container 1. The upper half of the front side 3 may extend from the center of the front side 3 in a vertical direction to an upper side edge (e.g., if the tab 11 is present, the (proximal) end of the tab 11 or a side edge of the front side 3; that is, if the tab 11 and/or tab 21 is present, this or these tab(s) 11, 21 are not taken into account for calculating the part of the front surface 3, i.e. the upper half or upper third part, in which the opening 31 is arranged) or the circumference of the front side 3. The upper half may thus extend at least or only along half of the height H of the front side 3, wherein the height H may correspond to the diameter of the front side 3, if the front side 3 has a substantially circular form (see above). The upper third part of the front side 3 may extend from above the center of the front side 3 in a vertical direction to said upper side edge or the circumference of the front side 3. The third part may thus extend at least or only along a third of the height H of the front side 3, but less than half of the height H of the front side 3. In general, the opening 31 may be eccentrically provided with respect to the front side 3, i.e. offset with respect to the center of the front side 3. The center of the front side 3 may be the point, where the symmetrical axis of the container 1 or the back side 40 intersects the front side 3. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the opening 31 may be provided next to the rim portion or flange 43 of the back side 40.

The front side 3 preferably comprises only one discharge opening 31 to discharge water, i.e. the tea beverage, from the compartment. In other examples, the front side 3 may also comprise a plurality of openings for discharging water, wherein this plurality of openings is preferably arranged in a group. The opening 31 is not limited to a specific form. The opening 31 may at least in part correspond to the outline of the back side 40, which may be defined by the outer rim portion or flange 43 of the back side 40. Preferably, the opening has a round and/or polygonal shape, e.g. in the form of a segment of a circle. For example, a straight part of the opening 31 is an edge of the opening over which the water is discharged from the compartment. That is, this straight part of the opening 31 may be level with the defined level L.

The container 1, for example the front side 3, may comprise a filter element 50 for preventing particles of the ingredient (plant material) to be discharged from the container 1. The filter element 50 is provided upstream of the opening 31, i.e. behind the front side 3 respectively opening 31, when viewed on the front side 3 of the container 1. The filter element 50 may be sandwiched between the back side, e.g. the back side 40, and the front side 3. Thus, by attaching the front side 3 to the back side 40, e.g. with the above described sealing or sealing path, the filter element 50 may at the same time be attached to the back side 40. Attaching the front side 3, the filter element 50 and the back side 40 to one another is thus very simple and efficient. For example, the filter element 50 may also be attached to the rim portion or flange 43 of the back side 40. The shape of the filter element 50 preferably corresponds to the shape or outline of the back side 40, in particular of the rim portion or flange 43 of the back side 40. Additionally or alternatively, the front side 3 may function as the filter element. For example, the filter element 50 is integrally provided with the front side 3. Thus, both the front side 3 and the filter element 50 can be more efficiently provided.

The container 1 may comprise one or more tabs, e.g. integrally formed with the container 1. For example, the front side 3 and/or the back side 40 comprises the one or more tabs, which may be integrally formed with the front side 3 and/or the back side 40. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5 , the front side 3 comprises only one tab 11. The tab 11 is integrally formed with the front side 3, so that the front side 3 and the tab 11 are obtained from the same blank (raw material). The tab 11 extends to an outside of the front side 3 or container 1. For example, the tab 11 may extend from the sealing path 5, preferably such that the proximal end of the tab 11 is provided at the sealing path 5 or the sealing path 5 extends over the proximal end of the tab 11. The tab 11 may extent in a substantially flat manner, i.e. in substantially only one extension plane and with only one (relatively thin) thickness. The tab 11 may comprise a surface, wherein the surface is, for example, substantially parallel to the main extension plane of the front side 3.

The tab 11 may be a handling tab for handling the container 1, in particular for inserting the container 1 into the beverage preparation machine and for removing the container 1 from the beverage preparation machine. Therefore, the surface of the tab 11 may be adapted for being grasped by a user. Thus, the surface may be provided such that grasping the tab 11 or the surface does not interfere with the compartment defined by the back side 40 and front side 3. For example, the surface comprises a defined or undefined structure, which aids in grasping the tab 11. The surface may be roughened so that a particularly easy handling of the tab 11 and, thus, of the front side 3 and container 1 is possible.

Additionally or alternatively, the tab 11 may be an identification tab. The tab 11 may thus comprise information for processing the container 1 in the beverage preparation machine. The process parameters may refer, for example, to a water pressure and/or a water temperature and/or a filling volume of the beverage to be prepared. The information may be provided in the form of a code. For example, the tab 11 or the surface of the tab 11 may comprise a machine-readable code comprising the information, wherein the machine-readable code can be read by a dedicated reader in the beverage preparation machine. The machine readable code may be an RFID tag (or any other near field technology tag) and/or a barcode, e.g. a 2D-, 3D-, matrix-, or QR-barcode. Thus, the surface of the tab 11 may both be provided for handling the container 1 and for bearing information, thereby being both a handling tab and an identification tab.

Preferably, the opening 31 is arranged between the tab 11 and a center of the front side 3, e.g. the before-mentioned center. That is, when viewed in a plan view of the front side 3, e.g. when viewed in the direction of the symmetrical axis of the container 1 or back side 40, the opening 31 is preferably arranged between the tab 11 and the center of the front side 3. For example, the opening 31 is provided next to the tab 11, i.e. next to the proximal end of the tab 11. The tab 11 thus effects that the opening 31 can be very easily positioned and/or orientated, in particular such that the front side 3 retains a comparatively great amount of water. For example, by orientating the tab 11 to extend in an upward vertical direction (see, e.g., FIG. 3 ), the opening 31 is automatically in a position, in which the front side 3 retains water such that a maximum amount of water can accumulate in the compartment in order to soak the plant material.

The container 1 has a non-symmetrical shape such that it is inserted functionally inside the beverage preparation machine with a specific orientation, in particular with a defined position and/or orientation. The non-symmetrical shape of the container 1 may be provided by accordingly designing the container 1, e.g. the front side 3 and/or the back side 40 and/or the tab 11. Thus, the front side 3 and/or the back side 40 and/or the tab 11 may be shaped to bring the container 1 in the specific (defined) position and/or orientation in the beverage preparation machine. For example, the tab 11 or a structure of the tab 11, e.g. the below described second side edges, is shaped correspondingly to a part of the beverage preparation machine such as of the holder of the beverage preparation machine. As such, the corresponding connection or engagement between the (structure of) the tab 11 and the beverage preparation machine brings the container 1 in the specific position and/or orientation. In the specific position and/or orientation, the opening 31 may be automatically in a specific position and/or orientation, e.g. such that a maximum amount of water and soaked plant material can accumulate in the compartment; that is, the opening 31 is then provided at an upper side of the container 1. Additionally or alternatively, in the specific position and/or orientation, the beverage preparation machine can appropriately process the container 1, e.g. the beverage preparation machine can appropriately read the information provided on the tab 11 and/or inject water into the container 1 for preparing the beverage. Thus, with the non-symmetrical shape of the container 1, e.g. by accordingly designing the tab 11 and/or front side 3, an erroneous operation of the beverage preparation machine with the container 1 can be effectively prevented.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the tab 11 may comprise a plurality of second side (or peripheral) edges 12, 13, 14. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the tab 11 comprises only three second side edges 12, 13, 14. The second side edges 12, 13, 14 delimit the tab 11 or the surface of the tab 11. The second side edges 12, 13 are side edges, which are laterally provided with respect to the tab 11. That is, each of the second side edges 12, 13 extend from the proximal end of the tab 11 to the distal end of the tab 11. For example, each of the second side edges 12, 13 merges continuously with the first side edge 4 or, if present, with a respective one of a plurality of first side edges 4. The second side edge 14 is provided at the distal end of the tab 11. As exemplarily shown in FIG. 1 , the second side edge 14 may merge discontinuously with the laterally provided second side edges 12, 13, respectively. In other examples, the second side edge 14 may also merge continuously with the laterally provided side edges 12, 13.

For example, the second side edges 12, 13, 14 may form a single second side edge, which delimits the (surface of the) handling tab 11.

At least one or each of the second side edges 12, 13, 14 may be at least in part complementary formed to the one or more first side edges 4. Due to this complementary form of the first side edge 4 on the one side and the at least one (or each) of the second side edges 12, 13, 14 on the other side, the container 1 and in particular the front side 3 can be produced with a reduced amount of waste, since the material, which would be actually waste material, is now used for obtaining the tab 11. More specifically, and with reference to FIG. 5 , the tab 11, i.e. the second side edges 12, 13, 14, may be obtained or formed by obtaining, e.g. cutting or separating such as punching, one or more further (or “first”) front sides 3′ of other containers. As apparent from FIG. 5 , the (“second”) front side 3 and the further front sides 3′ may be obtained from a same blank 30 and/or may be identically formed, when viewed in a plan view of the blank 30 or the front sides 3, 3′. The blank 30 may be provided in the form of having a (single) flat surface, and/or may be from a roll of material.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , each of the second side edges 12, 13, 14 of the tab 11 is at least in part or entirely complementary formed to the first side edge 4. As apparent from FIG. 5 , an area or a region of the blank 30 may be delimited by three front sides 3′ (“first front sides”) to be obtained from the blank 30; for example, the area may be between the circular shapes of the front sides 3, 3′. These three front sides 3′ are obtained from the blank 30, e.g. by separating at least along the respective first side edge 4, such that the before-mentioned area or region is separated from these three front sides 3′, but still integrally formed with another front side 3 (“second front side”) to be obtained from the blank 30. Thus, the area or region—previously delimited by the three (first) front sides 3′ to be obtained from the blank 30—becomes the tab 11 being integrally formed with the remaining (second) front side 3. Thereby, each of the second side edges 12, 13, 14 of the tab 11 of the second front side 3 is complementary formed to the first side edge 4 of the first three front sides 3, thereby resulting in substantially no waste for obtaining these four front sides 3, 3′.

The second side edges 12, 13, 14 are not limited to a specific shape as long as at least one of these second side edges 12, 13, 14 is complementary formed to the first side edge 4, thereby resulting in a reduced amount of waste. A form is to be understood “complementary formed” to another form, when the forms can be connected, or cooperate, with each other such that substantially no clearance is formed between the forms. For example, in case the complementary forms are round shaped, the complementary forms have substantially equal diameters. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , each of the second side edges 12, 13, 14 has preferably a concave shape, since the first side edge 4 has a convex shape. In other embodiments, the second side edges 12, 13, 14 may also have a different shape, e.g. a polygonal, rectangular, and/or straight shape. With such a design, a plurality of containers 1 respectively front sides 3 can be put together like a jigsaw puzzle, thereby forming a single surface (when viewed in a plan view of this surface) without any clearances formed by putting together the front sides 3, as shown in FIG. 5 .

In FIGS. 6 and 7 , a container 1 or front side 3 according to a second preferred embodiment is shown. The container 1, i.e. in particular the front side 3, according to the second preferred embodiment substantially corresponds to the container 1, i.e. in particular the front side 3, according to the first embodiment as described above, unless otherwise specified in the following.

The container 1 according to the second embodiment differs from the container 1 according to the first embodiment in particular in that the container 1, e.g. its front side 3, comprises a plurality of tabs, namely the tab 11 and a further tab 21. In other embodiments, the front side 3 may also comprise more than two tabs. The further tab 21 substantially corresponds to the tab 11 so that the description of the tab 11 applies correspondingly to the further tab 21, unless otherwise specified. Therefore, the further tab 21 also includes one or more second side edges 22, 23, 24, out of which the side edges 22, 23 are laterally provided side edges, and the side edge 24 is provided at a distal end of the further tab 21. The further tab 11 may be used for a different function than the tab 11. For example, the tab 11 is only used as the handling tab, wherein, additionally or alternatively, the further tab 21 is only used as the identification tab.

The tabs 11, 21 may extend in different directions and/or in the same plane. As apparent from, in particular, FIG. 6 , the tabs 11, 21 may be arranged to be diametrically opposed. The tabs 11, 21 may be arranged such that by handling the container 1 by way of the tab 11 to be put inside of the beverage preparation machine, the further tab 21 is brought into a position and/or orientation, in which the beverage preparation machine can read the information provided on the further tab 21. Additionally or alternatively, the further tab 21 is designed to bring the container 1/front side 3 in a position and/or orientation (i.e. the specific orientation), in which the opening 31 is automatically in a desired position and/or orientation, e.g. such that a maximum amount of water and soaked plant material can accumulate in the compartment. The further tab 21 may be, as apparent from FIG. 3 , shorter than the tab 11 so that in particular the surface of the further tab 21 (i.e. the surface, which can be seen in the plan view of the front side 3) is smaller than the surface of the tab 21. For example, the surface of the further tab 21 may be such that the surface substantially only comprises the information (e.g. a barcode), i.e. the information covers the entire surface of the further tab 21.

The second embodiment of the container 1 differs from the first embodiment of the container 1 also in that one of the second side edges of each of the tabs 11, 21 is (at least in part or entirely) complementary formed to a second side edge of the respective other one of the tabs 11, 21. As apparent from, for example, FIGS. 6 and 7 , the second side edge 14A (i.e. the third side edge 14A), which is provided at the distal end of the tab 11, is complementary formed to the (third) second side edge 24 of the further tab 21, which is also provided at the distal end of the further tab 21. The respective other two second side edges 12, 13, 22, 23 are each at least in part complementary formed to the one or more first side edges 4.

As apparent from FIG. 7 , an area (or a region) of the blank 30 is delimited by two front sides 3′ (“first front sides”) to be obtained from the blank 30; for example, the area may be between the circular shapes of the front sides 3, 3′. These two front sides 3′ are obtained from the blank 30, e.g. by separating at least along the respective first side edge(s) 4. The before-mentioned area is also separated along the second side edge 24—and thus along the second side edge 14A—such that this area is separated in a first part and a second part. The first part of this area remains integrally formed with a (“second”) front side 3 (but separated from the respective other front sides), thereby forming the further tab 21 of this front side 3. The second part of this area remains integrally formed with a further (“second”) front side 3, but separated from the respective other front sides, thereby forming the tab 11 of this further front side 3. Thus, the area or region—previously delimited by the two (“first”) front sides 3′ to be obtained from the blank 30—becomes the tab 11 and the further tab 21 being integrally formed with a (“second”) front side 3 and a further (“second”) front side 3, respectively. Thereby, for obtaining the tabs 11, 21 of a plurality of front sides 3, substantially no waste is generated. Further, with the second side edges 12, 13 and the second side edges 22, 23 being complementary formed to the first side edges 4 of the respective other front sides 3, waste during manufacturing is significantly reduced.

The second side edges 14A, 24 are not limited to a specific shape as long as they are complementary formed to one another, thereby resulting in a reduced amount of waste. As shown in FIG. 6 , the second side edge 14A has preferably a convex (e.g. round) shape, and the second side edge 24 has thus a concave (e.g. round) shape. In other embodiments, the second side edges 14A, 24 may also have a different shape, e.g. a polygonal, rectangular, and/or straight shape.

The container 1 is not limited to a specific material. For example, the (entire) container 1 or at least the front side 3 and/or back side 40 is made of a flexible or semi-flexible material and/or of a water-repellent and/or watertight material. Preferably, the (entire) container 1 or at least the front side 3 and/or back side 40 is made of a material selected from the list of plastic, paper, cardboard, carton (e.g. 130 g/m² (kraft) paper and/or 30 g/m² PLA), aluminum, a biodegradable and/or compostable (home compostable or industrially compastable) material, e.g. a material comprising a compostable polymer, paper, and/or cellulose. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the back side 40 and/or the filter element 50 may be made of a non-woven material (e.g. with 30 g/m², for example known under the name CD50132M).

It should be clear to a skilled person that the embodiments shown in the figures are only preferred embodiments, but that, however, also other designs of a container 1 can be used. 

1. A container for use in a beverage preparation machine, the container having a non-symmetrical shape such that it is inserted functionally inside the beverage preparation machine with a specific orientation, the container comprising: a container body having a back side and a front side, the back side and the front side delimiting a compartment adapted to be traversed by water injected therein by the beverage preparation machine through the back side, a plant material for preparing a tea beverage, the plant material being inside the compartment; and the front side comprises at least one discharge opening arranged in the upper half of the front side when the container is functionally inserted in the beverage preparation machine in order to keep water in the compartment at a defined level (L) that is above the median height (M) of the container, before the tea beverage is dispensed outside the container, thus allowing soaking of the plant material in the water.
 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the plant material is selected from the group consisting of tea leaves, herbal tea, herbal infusions, and fruits.
 3. The container according to claim 1, wherein the front side comprises only one discharge opening.
 4. The container according to claim 1, wherein the discharge opening has a round shape.
 5. The container according to claim 1, which comprises one or more tabs in the form of a code, for processing the container in a beverage preparation machine.
 6. The container according to claim 5, wherein the front side comprises one or more first side edges, and wherein each of the one or more tabs has one or more second side edges, wherein at least one or each of the one or more second side edges is at least in part complementary formed to one of the one or more first side edges.
 7. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises a filter element provided upstream of the discharge opening for preventing particles of the plant material to be discharged from the container.
 8. The container according to claim 1, wherein the front side and/or the back side is/are obtained by forming and/or separating a single blank such as a sheet.
 9. The container according to claim 1, which is made of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, paper, cardboard, aluminum, a multilayer laminate, a biodegradable and/or compostable material, and a combination thereof.
 10. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container is made of a biodegradable and/or compostable material. 